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TNT Sports have acquired some of the broadcasting rights for Wimbledon, the ‘crown in the jewel’ of the BBC’s sporting offering(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The BBC has suffered another blow in the sports broadcasting arena, losing the rights to two major events. The Commonwealth Games and the Boat Race, both long-standing fixtures on the BBC, will be aired on different channels in 2026 with TNT Sports securing the rights to the Games.

Despite being in contention for the Glasgow event, the BBC was outbid by the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned network. This marks a significant change as the corporation had been broadcasting the Games since 1954.

In a statement, the BBC expressed its disappointment: “The BBC has been proud to broadcast the Commonwealth Games over many years, but our bid was unable to match the financial offer from the market. We wish them every success for next year.”

Adding to the BBC’s woes, Channel 4 has nabbed the coverage of the Boat Race. This annual contest between Oxford University and Cambridge University on the River Thames is one of Britain’s oldest sporting events, dating back to 1829.

First televised in 1938, the BBC has broadcast the majority of these races, with ITV briefly taking over between 2005 and 2009. Starting this year, Channel 4’s deal will include the centenary of the Women’s Boat Race in 2027 and the bicentenary of the Men’s Boat Race in 2029.

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The BBC’s contract to show Wimbledon is set to expire next year(Image: Getty)

This shift comes after last year’s race attracted record viewership, with the women’s race becoming the most-watched female sporting event of 2025 at that time. Approximately 2.8 million viewers tuned in to watch the BBC One’s coverage in April, with a peak of 2.18 million recorded for the women’s race.

Wimbledon remains the ‘Crown Jewel’ of the BBC’s shrinking sports portfolio, although its contract is set to expire after the 2027 tournament. In a revamp of coverage, TNT Sports, a new channel, is now broadcasting the iconic tennis tournament with the rights to show highlights from the 2025 tournament.

The broadcaster, previously known as BT Sport, has taken over the five-year deal initially signed by Eurosport in 2024. Eurosport vanished from UK TV screens last year when it was rebranded as part of TNT Sports.

Both channels are owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.